Customer Support – OCFS Background Check Unit - job 1 of 2

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Customer Representative Associate II – Human Services

Opening Date: May 26, 2023

Closing Date: June 12, 2023

Job Class Code: 6594
Grade: 13 (Administrative Svcs)
Salary: $15.85 – $21.93/hr.

Position Number: 02000-3608

Core Responsibilities:

As a Customer Representative Associate II in OCFS, you will be expected to perform a broad range of direct service and administrative duties that assist in service delivery to families involved with the child welfare system. These duties may include but are not limited to:

• Completing Child Protective background checks.
• Maintaining records, mailings, and databases.
• Performing routine, occasional secretarial duties such as: complete work schedules, arrange appointments, arrange travel/lodging, order supplies and review documents to respond to requests.

To perform these duties, you must have strong interpersonal skills, organizational and computer skills. You will also need to be able to work effectively with your team members and interact with the public in a helpful and professional manner, sometimes under difficult circumstances. Your work could include significant travel within areas served by the local district office and will include occasional mandatory overtime. Most positions require possession of a valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation and good driving record. Your typical duties will include:

• Examining documents/information, determine facts, detect errors and irregularities, and taking action as authorized.
• Creating, using, maintaining, or updating computerized databases.
• Working with a variety of interested parties, such as other state agencies, the public and municipalities.
• Conducting and submitting assigned child protective clearances and follow established protocol.
• Processing all incoming and outgoing mail (opening, sorting, distributing).
• Preparing monthly logs of tasks completed and participating in unit meetings to enhance coordination of essential tasks.

• Assisting Background Check Unit members with any other duties associated with daily tasks, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

To qualify, your background must include training, education, or experience in office and administrative support work that demonstrates 1) competency in applying a solid knowledge of the principles and practices of quality customer service to perform complex work in assisting the public with applications, fees, examinations, or social services that have an eligibility or compliance component; and 2) the ability to use independent decision-making on the appropriate processes to follow, information to process, and actions to take in accordance with standard procedures. Preference will be extended to candidate possessing the following skills/experience:

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The Office of Child & Family Services (OCFS), within DHHS is responsible for ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families through community networks, local resources, and life-long family connections throughout Maine. We have a current vacancy in our Augusta office.

Application Information:

Please submit all documents or files in a PDF or Word format.

For additional information about this position please contact Nicole Marinaro, Background Check Unit Supervisor at Nicole.Marinaro@maine.gov. To apply, please upload a recent resume (if available) and cover letter addressing each of the preferred skills/experience areas above.

To request a paper application, please contact Ashley.Smith@Maine.gov .

Benefits

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,150.80-$11,942.16 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.16% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.